Varget Users and temp variations,pressure??

[albertakid]

I have been working up a load for my 308 and it really seems to like 46 grains of varget which is the max load hodgon suggests now it has been 10-30 degrees during all my shooting sessions should I be worried about pressure spikes say in mid summer when the temp hits 80 degrees??? Just wondering if i am wasteing my time on working up a load till warmer temps come???

Jordan

 

[sharpshooterbr]

Varget is one of Hodgdon's extreme powders. This means that they are affected less by temp changes. I load Varget in several of my rifles, and have never had any issues with the loads I work up in the cold winter months. Not to say your rifle won't have pressure problems, just stating my personal experience. One other thing you might look at is the load data from the bullet manufacturer i.e.-Sierra, Hornady, Berger, etc. Alot of times load data from the powder manufacturers will be a long way off from the bullet manufacturer because of the design of the bullet and it's effect on pressure.

 

[crittergitter]

I agree with sharpshooterbr. I haven't had any pressure/ temperature issues with Varget, and I use it in a 6mm Rem and a 35 Whelen pump with near max loads. I molycoat bullets in those 2 guns though so be careful.

 

[JCM]

I also use Varget in a 308 and have had no problems at hotter temps

 

[Mike T]

Varget...

Jordan,

I have been using 47.0 grs. of Varget in a Winchester .308 case to launch Sierra 155's in search of x's and tens in the Palma game for about five years. I shoot in temps ranging from the low 30's to just over 100 and have found Varget to be just what Hodgdon claims it to be, consistant.
Not temperature related, but many consider Varget to vary between lots. I recently ran two groups of ten rounds, one with a 2002 lot, and 0ne with a 2006 lot, over my chronograph and found the two averages to be ten FPS apart. Same 47.0 grs., same 210M primer, and same 155 SMK.

Regards,
Mike

 

[eddybo]

I have found Varget to be less temperature/humidity sensitive than either RL15 or VV160 in my 6-6.5/47and 6.5/47 Lapua. From my limited experiance I am thinking that humidity is actually a bigger factor than temp, but have no real data to support this. But when the humidity drops I start getting a lot of verticle with both RL15 and VV160, while my Varget load stays fairly constant. I also see this when loading VV133 for my 6ppc, when the humity drops I add a few clicks on my harrel's measure and the groups come back. Just my newbie observations and they may mean nothing.

 

[James Jones]

all powder is gonna be temp sensitive to some point and with big swings in temp it can get worst. I have found Varget to be one of the most stabile powders I've ever used , and it meters realy well , its just good stuff. It works awsome in the 308 , giving a very good balance in case fill , velocity and low SD numbers with just about all bullets in the 125 through 175gr, the only other powder I use in the 308 is 4350 and thats with the bullets in th 190 and heavier range.

eddybo , see what happens when you hang around world class shooter and gun builders , you get kinda self concious about your oppinion. I got a 1-7.5 twist 5R Bartlein barrel comming in soon that gonna be screwed on a fully blueprinted M-7 action and another A5-L stock , I'm just at odds about the caliber , eight 6-6.5x47 or 243 Ackley. You ever get those heavy 115 class bullets to shoot well?

sorry for jacking your post albertakid

 

[G22inSC]

How well does Varget work for a 260? I will be trying to work up some loads in the spring and was considering Varget as my primary powder for a 20" barrel.

 

[eddybo]

James, no luck with the 115 bergers, but the 115 dtacs shoot lights out in my 243AI...that said, build the 6-6.5x47 lapua. I am a big fan of this case. I have it in the 6.5 the 6 and have another 6 and a 22-6.5x47 on the way. Should have both within 30 days if I know Mr. Don and the reamer for the 22 arrives.